Metalytiq OP t1_j9v3bdd wrote on February 24, 2023 at 7:45 PM

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On February 12, 2023, the U.S. government spent an estimated $2.1 million to shoot down and recover an alleged spy balloon over Lake Huron. The object was one of three objects identified by U.S. military intelligence as "most likely balloons" within the span of one week.

The object in question first appeared over Montana on February 11th, flying at about 20,000 feet. The following day, an E-3B Sentry aircraft and a KC-135 Stratotanker were tracked flying through Lake Huron along with two F-16 Fighting Falcons. Confirmed by the Pentagon, it took two Sidewinder missiles to bring down the object after the first F-16 missed.

The following day, the recovery of the object was underway, as a HC-130J Combat King II was tracked going to Lake Huron.

quarkman t1_j9xwu6v wrote on February 25, 2023 at 10:35 AM

From what I recall, only the first balloon was thought to be an actual spy balloon. Every other object was considered a likely commercial or hobbyist in nature, especially given their altitude.